February 2021 • Issue 8, Volume 11 • www.consumer-action.org
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What people are saying
Today's training provided me with practical tips on how to create a disaster preparedness and recovery plan that I can share with my clients, family and friends.
--Consumer Action webinar attendee
Did you know?
Waiting in anticipation for that package to arrive? Online shopping has (understandably) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic--a trend that's expected to continue even after the crisis abates. But if you find yourself disappointed each time the delivery van passes by your door, know that there is a little-known federal Mail Order Rule that requires merchants to ship orders to U.S. customers within 30 days (or adhere to their own different, clearly-stated "advertised" shipping time). According to the rule, if shipping deadlines can't be met, sellers must send buyers a notice offering an option to consent to a delay in shipping or to cancel the order and receive a prompt refund. The rule applies to most orders made by mail, telephone or internet. Failing to comply with this Federal Trade Commission regulation can result in sellers paying civil penalties of up to $43,280 per violation! It can also result in the company providing you with restitution and/or injunctive relief (i.e., being ordered to stop their bad business practices). Read the text of the rule here.
Debt collectors sliding into your DMs?
In anticipation of a federal debt collection rule slated to go into effect this fall, Consumer Action dedicated our latest, in-depth Consumer Action News to debt collection. The Winter 2020-21 issue of the free online newsletter: outlines your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; explains how those rights may be impacted by the upcoming rule; offers realistic tips for dealing with dogged collectors; and more. Read more...
Disaster preparedness and recovery: Be ready for the worst
As the ashes of wildfires that ravaged the West Coast still smolder, and climate change leads to larger, more devastating storms, legal experts shared knowledge, resources and tips with Consumer Action's nonprofit network during our free webinar on disaster preparedness and recovery. Read more...
Hotline Chronicles: Get my name off the internet!
Ever Googled yourself? A Delaware woman did, and she didn't like what she found--especially after she learned how difficult it is to remove erroneous information from data-broker sites. Read more...
Coalition Efforts: Prioritizing affordable meds, data privacy and health equity
Consumer Action often joins its allies in letters, comments and complaints calling for change, standing up for consumer rights, supporting or opposing proposed laws and objecting to corporate misbehavior, among other activities. We collect these in the Coalition Efforts section of our website. Each month in the INSIDER, we highlight some recent activities. Read more...
CFPB Watch: A real watchdog, reckless credit reporting and climbing complaints
In this regular feature, we detail recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This month, we report on the nomination of a true watchdog to lead the agency; the Bureau's crackdown on subprime lender Santander for damaging consumers' credit reports; and feedback on its management of mounting consumer complaints. Read more...
Class Action Database: Trusted Media Brands violates readers' trust
Consumer Action maintains a database of class actions so that interested consumers can learn more, join a pending action or make a claim. Class action lawsuits are an important element of consumer protection and can force changes to anti-consumer business practices and make bad actors return ill-gotten gains to consumers. Read more...
About Consumer Action
Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Consumer Action focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper. It also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer rights and promote industry-wide change.
By providing consumer education materials in multiple languages, a free national hotline, a comprehensive website (www.consumer-action.org) and annual surveys of financial and consumer services, Consumer Action helps consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and make financially savvy choices. More than 6,000 community and grassroots organizations benefit annually from its extensive outreach programs, training materials and support. Read more...
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